Cult Movies

Library Journal

This book is the latest attempt to lead film buffs through the sometimes confusing maze of cult movies, from the killer "B's," soft-core erotic offerings, and guilty pleasures of bad movies to the more lofty world of experimental, art-house, and foreign classics. A dictionary format provides plot summaries, production trivia, a few insights into the film's importance, snippets of dialog, and memorable moments. Philip (Malle on Malle) and Karl (Karl French on Apocalypse Now) French quite unwisely limit coverage to one film per director, shortchanging the contributions of cult directors David Lynch, John Waters, Luis Bu uel, Sam Fuller, and many others. The authors' British perspective also results in some misunderstanding of American films, notably a serious misreading of the theme and message of It's a Wonderful Life. More inclusive and entertaining, Danny Peary's Cult Movies: The Classics, the Sleepers, the Weird, and the Wonderful (Random Value, 1998) remains the essential work on the subject. Optional for public and academic libraries.--Stephen F. Rees, Levittown Regional Lib., PA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.